KR20190103433A - Manufacturing method and apparatus of assembled battery - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a method of manufacturing an assembled battery capable of suitably joining an electrode tab and a bus bar. When the unit cells 110 are stacked, the first spacers 114 are moved in one direction so that a predetermined position of a junction portion of the electrode tab 112 with respect to the bus bar 132 is moved in the direction of movement of the first spacers. Perform positioning for.

Description

Manufacturing method and apparatus of assembled battery

The present invention relates to a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus of an assembled battery.

The battery pack includes a power generation element, a plurality of unit cells including an electrode tab drawn out of the power generation element, a spacer supporting the electrode tab, and a bus bar that electrically connects electrode tabs of different unit cells.

In the manufacturing process of such an assembled battery, there exists a process of bonding a bus bar to an electrode tab. In connection with this, the following patent document 1 discloses the method of performing laser welding in the state which inserted the electrode tab of each unit cell into the bending part of a bus bar.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-515418

In the joining method of patent document 1, there exists a possibility that the position of the electrode tab laminated | stacking direction may shift | deviate with the fluctuation | variation of the thickness of a battery cell. In this way, when the position of the electrode tabs in the stacking direction with respect to the bent portion is shifted, the gap between the tip of the electrode tab and the bus bar may change, resulting in poor joining quality.

This invention is made | formed in order to solve the said subject, and an object of this invention is to provide the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of an assembled battery which can join an electrode tab and a bus bar suitably.

A battery pack manufacturing method according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a power generating element, a plurality of unit cells including an electrode tab, a spacer supporting the electrode tab, and the electrode tabs of the different unit cells. It is a manufacturing method of an assembled battery which has a bus bar electrically connected. By moving the spacers in one direction for each lamination step of stacking the single cells, positioning of a predetermined position of a junction portion of the electrode tab with respect to the bus bar in the movement direction of the spacer is performed.

Moreover, the manufacturing apparatus of the assembled battery which concerns on this invention which achieves the said object is the said electrode tab of the said single cell different from the power generation element, the some unit cell containing an electrode tab, the spacer which supports the said electrode tab, It is a manufacturing apparatus of an assembled battery which has a bus bar which electrically connects. In the battery pack manufacturing apparatus, the spacer is moved in one direction for each stacking step of stacking the unit cells, thereby positioning the predetermined position of the bonding portion of the electrode tab with respect to the bus bar in the moving direction of the spacer. It has a positioning member to perform.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled battery according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows a pressurization unit (upper pressure plate and lower pressure plate and left and right side plates) separated from the battery pack shown in FIG. 1, and a part of the bus bar unit (protective cover, anode side terminal and cathode side terminal). It is a perspective view which shows one state.
3A is a perspective view showing, in cross section, a main part of a state in which a bus bar is joined to electrode tabs of stacked unit cells.
It is sectional drawing which shows FIG. 3A from the side.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the bus bar holder and the bus bar are separated from the laminate shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the first cell subassembly and the second cell subassembly shown in FIG. 4 are electrically connected by a bus bar.
FIG. 6 disassembles the first cell subassembly (three sets of cells connected in parallel) shown in FIG. 4 for each unit cell, and separates the first spacer and the second spacer from one unit cell (top). It is a perspective view which shows one state.
7 is a perspective view illustrating a main part of the first spacer.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing method of an assembled battery according to the first embodiment.
9 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the battery pack manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11: is a perspective view which shows typically the state in which the lower pressurizing plate is mounted with respect to a mounting stand, and the 1st single cell is laminated | stacked with respect to a lower pressurizing plate.
It is a perspective view which shows typically the state which laminated | stacked the 1st single cell with respect to the lower press plate.
It is a top view which shows a mode of performing a positioning process.
14 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in the middle of stacking a second unit cell with respect to the first unit cell.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a positioning process is performed in a state where a gap is provided between the first unit cell and the second unit cell. FIG.
16 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second unit cell is brought into contact with the first unit cell.
It is a perspective view which shows typically the state which laminated | stacked the upper press plate with respect to the laminated body.
It is a perspective view which shows typically the state which presses the laminated body collected by the upper press plate and the lower press plate by the press.
It is a perspective view which shows typically the state which laser-welded the side plate with respect to an upper press plate and a lower press plate.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which laser welding is performed by bringing corresponding bus bars into contact with respective electrode tabs of stacked unit cells.
Fig. 21 shows a state in which laser welding is carried out by bringing the anode side bus bar into contact with the anode bus bar at the end of the anode side, and the cathode side bus bar is brought in contact with the cathode bus bar at the end of the cathode side. It is a perspective view typically shown.
22 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a plurality of bus bars are covered with one protective cover.
It is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the assembled battery which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and is a perspective view which shows the mode of positioning the electrode tab of a 1st unit cell.
It is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the assembled battery which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and is a perspective view which shows the mode of positioning the electrode tab of a 2nd unit cell.
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing the assembled battery according to the third embodiment, and is a perspective view illustrating a state in which unit cells are stacked with a gap between the supporting parts.
It is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the assembled battery which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, and is a top view which shows the state before performing a positioning process.
It is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the assembled battery which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, and is a top view which shows the state after performing a positioning process.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing the assembled battery according to the third embodiment, and is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the supporting state of the supporting unit is released and all the unit cells are stacked.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiment of this invention is described, referring an accompanying drawing. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The size and ratio of each member in the figure may be exaggerated for convenience of description, and may differ from the actual size and ratio.

In the figure, the direction is indicated using the arrows represented by X, Y and Z. The direction of the arrow shown by X intersects with the stacking direction of the unit cells 110 and represents the direction along the long side direction of the unit cells 110. The direction of the arrow shown by Y intersects with the stacking direction of the unit cells 110 and represents the direction along the short side direction of the unit cells 110. The arrow direction indicated by Z indicates the stacking direction of the unit cells 110.

The assembled battery 100 is mounted in a plurality of vehicles such as an electric vehicle and used as a power source for driving a motor for a vehicle. The assembled battery 100 is electrically connected by the bus bar unit 130 in a state in which the stacked body 100S formed by stacking the plurality of unit cells 110 is pressed by the pressing unit 120. It is.

The assembled battery 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

1 is a perspective view showing an assembled battery 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 separates the pressurizing unit 120 (the upper pressurizing plate 121 and the lower pressurizing plate 122 and the left and right side plates 123) from the battery pack 100 shown in FIG. 1, and further, the bus bar unit 130. ) Is a perspective view showing a state in which a part (protective cover 135, anode side terminal 133 and cathode side terminal 134) is separated. 3: A is a perspective view which shows the principal part in the state which bonded the bus bar 132 to the electrode tab 112 of the laminated unit cell 110 by cross section. It is sectional drawing which shows FIG. 3A from the side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the bus bar holder 131 and the bus bar 132 are separated from the laminate 100S shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the first cell subassembly 110M and the second cell subassembly 110N shown in FIG. 4 are electrically connected by the bus bar 132. FIG. 6 disassembles the first cell sub-assembly 110M (three sets of unit cells 110 connected in parallel) shown in FIG. 4 for each unit cell 110, and shows one unit cell (top) of the unit cell ( It is a perspective view which shows the state which isolate | separated the 1st spacer 114 and the 2nd spacer 115 from 110. FIG. FIG. 7: is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the 1st spacer 114. As shown in FIG.

The structure of the laminated body 100S is demonstrated in detail.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stacked body 100S includes a first cell subassembly 110M including three unit cells 110 electrically connected in parallel, and three unit cells 110 electrically connected in parallel. The second cell subassembly 110N consisting of) is alternately connected in series.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first cell subassembly 110M includes three unit cells positioned in the first stage (lowest stage), the third stage, the fifth stage, and the seventh stage (topmost) in the battery pack 100. It corresponds to (110). As shown in FIG. 4, the second cell subassembly 110N corresponds to three unit cells 110 located at the second, fourth, and sixth stages of the battery pack 100.

The first cell subassembly 110M and the second cell subassembly 110N have a similar configuration. However, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first cell subassembly 110M and the second cell subassembly 110N have three anode side electrodes by changing the top and bottom of the three unit cells 110. The tab 112A and the three cathode side electrode tabs 112K are arranged so as to be alternately positioned along the stacking direction Z. As shown in FIG.

In the first cell subassembly 110M, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, all of the anode side electrode tabs 112A are positioned on the right side of the drawing, and all of the cathode side electrode tabs 112K are positioned on the left side of the figure. have.

In the second cell subassembly 110N, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, all of the anode side electrode tabs 112A are positioned on the left side of the drawing, and all of the cathode side electrode tabs 112K are positioned on the right side of the figure. have. For each of the three unit cells 110, simply changing the upper and lower sides of the three unit cells 110, the direction of the tip 112d of the electrode tab 112 is disturbed up and down in the stacking direction Z. For this reason, each front end part 112d is refracted downward so that the direction of the front end part 112d of the electrode tab 112 of all the unit cells 110 may be aligned.

The unit cell 110 corresponds to, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery. The unit cells 110 are connected in series in order to satisfy the specification of the drive voltage of the vehicle motor. The unit cells 110 are connected in plural in parallel in order to secure the capacity of the battery and increase the traveling distance of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the unit cell 110 is a flat power generating element 111 that performs charging and discharging, an electrode which is derived from the power generating element 111, and the tip portion 112d is refracted along the stacking direction Z. And a laminate film 113 that seals the tab 112 and the power generating element 111.

The electric power generating element 111 charges electric power from an outdoor charging stand, etc., and discharges it to a motor for a vehicle, etc., and supplies driving power. The power generation element 111 is configured by stacking a plurality of anodes and cathodes separated by a separator.

The electrode tab 112 exposes the power generating element 111 to the outside, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4. The electrode tab 112 is composed of an anode side electrode tab 112A and a cathode side electrode tab 112K. The proximal end of the anode-side electrode tab 112A is joined to all the anodes included in one power generating element 111. The anode side electrode tab 112A is formed in a thin plate shape and is made of aluminum in accordance with the characteristics of the anode. The base end side of the cathode side electrode tab 112K is joined to all the cathodes included in one power generation element 111. The cathode side electrode tab 112K is formed in a thin plate shape and is made of copper in accordance with the characteristics of the cathode.

The electrode tab 112 is formed in an L shape as shown in FIG. 3B. The base end 112c of the electrode tab 112 is supported from below by the support surface 114b of the first spacer 114. The distal end portion 112d of the electrode tab 112 is refracted along the lower direction in the stacking direction Z to face the contact surface 114h of the first spacer 114.

As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the laminated film 113 consists of a pair and picks up and seals the power generation element 111 from the top and bottom along the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG. The pair of laminated films 113 lead the anode side electrode tab 112A and the cathode side electrode tab 112K outward from the gap between the one end portion 113a along the short side direction Y. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the unit cell 110 is supported by a pair of spacers (the first spacer 114 and the second spacer 115) in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4. It is laminated as shown.

The pair of spacers (the first spacer 114 and the second spacer 115) are arranged at regular intervals along the stacking direction Z as shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B. Doing. The first spacer 114 supports the unit cell 110 on the side provided with the electrode tab 112. The second spacer 115 supports the unit cell 110 on the side without the electrode tab 112 so as to face the first spacer 114 in the long side direction X of the unit cell 110. .

As shown in FIG. 6, the 1st spacer 114 is formed in the elongate plate shape with unevenness | corrugation, and consists of reinforced plastic with insulation. The first spacer 114 is provided to face one end 113a of the pair of laminate films 113. As shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 6, the first spacer 114 supports the one end 113a of the laminate film 113 by the flat support surface 114b. The 1st spacer 114 is provided with the contact surface 114h adjoining the wall surface along the lamination direction Z adjacent to the support surface 114b. As shown in FIG. 3B, the contact surface 114h is positioned along the long side direction X of the tip end portion 112d of the electrode tab 112. As shown in FIG. 6, the 1st spacer 114 is equipped with the pair of connecting pin 114c which protrudes upwards at the both ends along the short side direction Y of the support surface 114b, respectively. The pair of connection pins 114c have a cylindrical shape and are inserted into the connection holes 113c opened at both ends along the short side direction Y of the one end portion 113a of the laminate film 113, thereby providing a single cell ( Position 110).

As shown in FIG. 3B, the plurality of first spacers 114 abut on an upper surface 114a of one first spacer 114 and a lower surface 114d of the other first spacer 114. As shown in FIG. 3B, the plurality of first spacers 114 includes a cylindrical positioning pin 114e protruding from an upper surface 114a of one first spacer 114, and another first spacer ( Positioning is carried out by fitting the positioning holes 114f opened in the lower surface 114d of the 114. As shown in FIG. 6, the first spacer 114 has locating holes 114g at both ends along the short side direction Y. The collar 116 is inserted into the locate hole 114g. A bolt for connecting the plurality of battery packs 100 to each other while positioning the plurality of battery packs 100 along the stacking direction Z is inserted into the locate hole 114g.

As shown in FIG. 6, the 1st spacer 114 is equipped with the pair of connecting pin 114c which protrudes upwards at the both ends along the short side direction Y of the support surface 114b, respectively. The pair of connection pins 114c have a cylindrical shape and are inserted into the connection holes 113c opened at both ends along the short side direction Y of the one end portion 113a of the laminate film 113, thereby providing a single cell ( Position 110).

As shown in FIG. 3B, the plurality of first spacers 114 abut on an upper surface 114a of one first spacer 114 and a lower surface 114d of the other first spacer 114. As shown in FIG. 3B, the plurality of first spacers 114 includes a cylindrical positioning pin 114e protruding from an upper surface 114a of one first spacer 114, and another first spacer ( Positioning is carried out by fitting the positioning holes 114f opened in the lower surface 114d of the 114.

6 and 7, the first spacer 114 has a concave portion 114j formed in a concave shape along the lamination direction Z on the side surface of the upper surface 114a in the Y direction outer side. The recessed part 114j engages with the convex part 221 provided in the positioning member 220 in the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 mentioned later.

The recessed part 114j has the 1st surface 114s located in the front surface side (front end side which the electrode tab 112 faces the bus bar 132), as shown in FIG.

As shown to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, the 1st spacer 114 has the extension surface 114k located in the front surface side (negative direction X direction), and extending along the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG.

Since the second spacer 115 does not need to support the electrode tab 112, the first spacer 114 is configured to be simplified. The 2nd spacer 115 supports the other end part 113b which opposes the one end part 113a of the laminated film 113 along the long side direction X by the support surface 115b. As shown in FIG. 6, the second spacers 115 are connected to position the positioning pins 115e for positioning the second spacers and the unit cell 110, similarly to the first spacers 114. The pin 115c, the locate hole 115g which inserts the bolt which connects while positioning several battery pack 100, etc. are provided.

The collar 116 (regulator) is formed in a cylindrical shape and is made of a metal having sufficient strength. The collar 116 is inserted into the pair of locate holes 114g of the first spacer 114 and the pair of locate holes 115g of the second spacer 115, respectively. The collar 116 inserts a bolt (not shown) which connects the plurality of battery packs 100 to each other while positioning the same. The collar 116 reinforces the first spacer 114 and the second spacer 115 along the stacking direction Z. The color 116 has a significantly smaller amount of deformation along the stacking direction Z as compared to the first spacer 114 and the second spacer 115.

The tape member (corresponding to the adhesive member) 117 is disposed between the unit cells 110 adjacent to each other up and down along the stacking direction Z, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. ) Are bonded to each other. The tape member 117 is a double-sided tape having adhesiveness on both sides. The tape member 117 is provided in the part which overlaps along the lamination direction Z with the power generation element 111 contained in the inside of the unit cell 110 at least in the space | interval of each unit cell 110 at least. When the unit cell 110 vibrates or an impact is applied to the unit cell 110, the tape member 117 may apply a stress applied to the laminate film 113 positioned at the outermost layer of the unit cell 110. Absorption to protect the laminate film 113.

The structure of the pressurization unit 120 is demonstrated in detail.

The pressurizing unit 120 presses the upper press plate 121, the lower press plate 122, and the laminate 100S to press up and down the power generating element 111 of each unit cell 110 of the stack 100S. A pair of side plates 123 for fixing the upper press plate 121 and the lower press plate 122 in a pressurized state is included.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the upper press plate 121, along with the lower press plate 122, picks up and holds a plurality of unit cells 110 constituting the stack 100S from above and below, respectively. To pressurize the power generating element 111 of the unit cell 110. The upper press plate 121 is formed in a plate shape with irregularities, and is made of a metal having sufficient rigidity. The upper press plate 121 is provided on a horizontal surface. The upper press plate 121 is provided with the press surface 121a which presses the power generation element 111 downward as shown in FIG. The pressing surface 121a is formed flat and protrudes downward from the central portion of the upper pressing plate 121. The upper press plate 121 is provided with the locate hole 121b which inserts the bolt which connects the assembled battery 100s. The locate hole 121b is formed of a through hole, and is open at four corners of the upper pressing plate 121.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower press plate 122 has the same shape as the upper press plate 121, and is provided to reverse the upper and lower portions of the upper press plate 121. The lower presser plate 122, like the upper presser plate 121, connects the pressurizing surface 122a for pressurizing the power generating element 111 upward and the assembled batteries 100 while positioning along the stacking direction Z. The location hole 122b which inserts a bolt is provided.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pair of side plates 123 fixes the upper press plate 121 and the lower press plate 122 in a state where the laminate 100S is pressed. That is, the pair of side plates 123 keeps the gap between the upper press plate 121 and the lower press plate 122 constant. In addition, the pair of side plates 123 cover and protect the side surfaces along the long side direction X of the stacked unit cells 110. The side plate 123 is formed in flat form and consists of metal. The pair of side plates 123 stand up so as to face both side surfaces along the long side direction X of the stacked unit cells 110. The pair of side plates 123 are welded to the upper press plate 121 and the lower press plate 122.

The configuration of the bus bar unit 130 will be described in detail.

The bus bar unit 130 includes a bus bar holder 131 that integrally holds a plurality of bus bars 132 and electrode tabs of different unit cells 110 (single cells 110 arranged up and down). A bus bar 132 for electrically connecting the tip portions 112d of the 112, and an anode side terminal 133 for facing the end of the anode side of the plurality of unit cells 110 electrically connected to an external input / output terminal. And a cathode-side terminal 134 for facing the cathode end of the plurality of unit cells 110 electrically connected to an external input / output terminal, and a protective cover 135 for protecting the bus bar 132 and the like. Doing.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the bus bar holder 131 integrally holds the plurality of bus bars 132. The bus bar holder 131 integrally holds the plurality of bus bars 132 in a matrix so as to face the electrode tabs 112 of the unit cells 110 of the stack 100S. . The bus bar holder 131 is made of resin with insulation and is formed in a frame shape.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bus bar holder 131 is laminated so as to be located at both sides of the long side direction of the first spacer 114 on the side supporting the electrode tab 112 of the unit cell 110. A pair of strut portions 131a standing up along the direction Z are respectively provided. The pair of strut portions 131a are fitted to the side surfaces of the first spacer 114. The pair of struts 131a is L-shaped when viewed along the stacking direction Z, and is formed in a plate shape extending along the stacking direction Z. FIG. The bus bar holder 131 is provided with a pair of auxiliary support portions 131b standing up along the stacking direction Z so as to be located near the center of the long side direction of the first spacer 114. The pair of auxiliary struts 131b is formed in a plate shape extending along the stacking direction Z. As shown in FIG.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the bus bar holder 131 includes an insulating portion 131c which protrudes between adjacent bus bars 132 along the stacking direction Z. As shown in FIG. The insulation part 131c is formed in the plate shape extended along the short side direction Y. FIG. Each insulation part 131c is horizontally provided between the auxiliary support part 131b and the auxiliary support part 131b. The insulation part 131c prevents electric discharge by insulating between adjacent bus bars 132 along the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG.

The bus bar holder 131 may be formed by joining the strut portion 131a, the auxiliary strut portion 131b, and the insulating portion 131c formed independently of each other, or the strut portion 131a and the auxiliary strut portion 131b. And the insulating portion 131c may be integrally molded.

The bus bar 132 electrically connects the electrode tabs 112 of the unit cells 110 arranged up and down as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4 and 5. The bus bar 132 electrically connects the anode side electrode tab 112A of one unit cell 110 and the cathode side electrode tab 112K of the other unit cell 110. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the bus bars 132 include three anode-side electrode tabs 112A arranged above and below the first cell subassembly 110M, and the second cell subassembly 110N. The cathode-side electrode tabs 112K arranged three above and below are electrically connected.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the bus bar 132 connects three anode side electrode tabs 112A of the first cell subassembly 110M in parallel, and the second cell subassembly ( Three cathode side electrode tabs 112K of 110N are connected in parallel. In addition, the bus bar 132 connects three anode-side electrode tabs 112A of the first cell subassembly 110M and three cathode-side electrode tabs 112K of the second cell subassembly 110N in series. do. The bus bar 132 is laser-welded to the anode side electrode tab 112A of one unit cell 110 and the cathode side electrode tab 112K of the other unit cell 110.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4, the bus bar 132 is configured by joining an anode side bus bar 132A and a cathode side bus bar 132K. The anode side bus bar 132A and the cathode side bus bar 132K have the same shape, and are each formed in an L shape. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4, the bus bar 132 is formed by joining a refracted end of the anode side bus bar 132A with a refracted end of the cathode side bus bar 132K. It is integrated by. The anode side bus bar 132A and the cathode side bus bar 132K constituting the bus bar 132 are joined to the bus bar holder 131 at both ends along the short side direction Y, as shown in FIG. The side part 132d is provided.

The anode side bus bar 132A is made of aluminum, similarly to the anode side electrode tab 112A of the unit cell 110. The cathode side bus bar 132K is made of copper similarly to the cathode side electrode tab 112K of the unit cell 110. The anode side bus bar 132A and the cathode side bus bar 132K made of different metals are joined to each other by ultrasonic bonding to form a bonding portion 132c.

Among the bus bars 132 arranged in a matrix form, the bus bars 132 located on the upper right side in the diagram of FIG. 4 correspond to the ends of the anode side of 21 unit cells 110 (three parallel and seven series). It is comprised only by the anode side bus bar 132A. The anode side bus bar 132A is laser bonded to the anode side electrode tab 112A of the top three unit cells 110 among the stacked unit cells 110.

Of the bus bars 132 arranged in a matrix form, the bus bars 132 located in the lower left of the diagram of FIG. 4 correspond to the ends of the cathodes of the 21 unit cells 110 (three parallel and seven series). It is comprised only by the cathode side bus bar 132K. This cathode side bus bar 132K is laser-bonded to the cathode side electrode tab 112K of the three lowermost unit cells 110 among the stacked unit cells 110.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the anode side terminal 133 is configured to face the end of the anode side of the plurality of unit cells 110 electrically connected to an external input / output terminal. As shown in FIG. 2, the anode side terminal 133 is joined to the anode side bus bar 132A located in the upper right of the figure among the bus bars 132 arranged in a matrix form. The anode side terminal 133 is formed in a plate shape with both ends bent, and is made of a metal having conductivity.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cathode side terminal 134 faces the ends of the cathode side of the plurality of unit cells 110 electrically connected to the external input / output terminals. As shown in FIG. 2, the cathode-side terminal 134 is joined to the cathode-side bus bar 132K located in the lower left of the figure among the bus bars 132 arranged in a matrix. The cathode side terminal 134 has the same shape as the anode side terminal 133 and is reversed upside down.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the protective cover 135 protects the bus bar 132 and the like. That is, the protective cover 135 integrally covers the plurality of bus bars 132, thereby preventing each of the bus bars 132 from coming into contact with another member or the like to cause an electrical short circuit. As shown in FIG. 2, the protective cover 135 refracts one end 135b and the other end 135c of the side surface 135a standing up along the stacking direction Z toward the long side direction X like a flange, and has insulation properties. It is made of plastic provided.

The protective cover 135 covers each bus bar 132 by the side surface 135a, and fixes the bus bar holder 131 from the top and bottom by the one end 135b and the other end 135c. The protective cover 135 is formed of a rectangular hole, is formed of a first opening 135d for exposing the anode side terminal 133 to the outside, and is formed of a rectangular hole, and the cathode side terminal 134 is outside. The side opening 135a is each provided with the 2nd opening 135e exposed to the inside.

<The manufacturing method which concerns on 1st embodiment>

Next, the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus 200 of the assembled battery 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 22. First, the manufacturing apparatus 200 of the assembled battery 100 according to the first embodiment will be described, and then the manufacturing method will be described.

8 is a flowchart of a manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the first embodiment. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a part of the manufacturing apparatus 200 of the assembled battery 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the manufacturing apparatus 200 of the assembled battery 100 according to the first embodiment includes a mounting table 202 and a locate strut 203 extending in the Z direction from the mounting table 202. ) And a reference jig 210 fixed to the mounting table 202. In addition, the manufacturing apparatus 200 of the assembled battery 100 includes a positioning member 220 provided in plural along the stacking direction Z and a cylinder 230 for pressing the end portions 223 of the positioning member 220. Have In addition, the manufacturing apparatus 200 of the assembled battery 100 includes the press 205 used in the holding step S103 and the laser light source 206 used for laser welding, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 21. Has

The mounting table 202 is formed in a plate shape and is disposed along the horizontal direction (long side direction X and short side direction Y).

Four locate posts 203 are standing on the mounting surface 202a of the mounting table 202 at predetermined intervals. The locate strut 203 has a relative relationship between the lower pressurizing plate 122, the pair of spacers (first spacer 114 and the second spacer 115) provided in the unit cell 110, and the upper pressurizing plate 121. Set the approximate position. Each laminated member is laminated one by one by a robot arm, a hand lifter, a vacuum suction type collet, and the like (each not shown).

The locate strut 203 is configured to provide a predetermined clearance with respect to the locate hole 114g of the first spacer 114.

As shown in Figs. 9 to 12, the reference jig 210 is fixedly arranged to the mounting table 202. The fixing method to the mounting table 202 of the reference jig 210 is not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 13, the reference jig 210 has the reference surface 211 which the positioning member 220 rotates and the extension surface 114k of the 1st spacer 114 abuts.

The positioning member 220 is provided for every 1st spacer 114 as shown to FIG. 9, FIG. That is, the positioning member 220 is provided in plurality along the lamination direction Z. The positioning member 220 has a convex portion 221 which can be engaged with the concave portion 114j of the first spacer 114. The positioning member 220 is rotatably provided around the lamination direction Z by the pin 222 along the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG.

The cylinder 230 is located on the negative direction (front side) in the X direction of the positioning member 220. The cylinder 230 is provided in multiple numbers along the lamination direction Z corresponding to the some positioning member 220 along the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, the cylinder 230 has the end portion 223 opposite to the side where the convex portion 221 of the positioning member 220 is provided in the X direction minus side (front face side). By pressing in from the positive direction (rear side) to the X direction, the positioning member 220 is rotated about the axis of the pin 222. In addition, in FIG. 10, FIG. 13, the state before press-in is shown by the dotted line, and the state after press-in is shown by the solid line. As a result, the convex portion 221 contacts the first surface 114s of the concave portion 114j of the first spacer 114 to move the first spacer 114 and the unit cell 110 toward the negative direction in the X direction. (See FIG. 13). Then, the extension surface 114k of the first spacer 114 abuts on the reference surface 211 of the reference jig 210, whereby the bus bar of the electrode tab 112 is moved in the moving direction of the first spacer 114. Positioning of the joining site with respect to 132 to a predetermined position is performed.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cylinder 230 is preferably arranged in a zigzag shape. By arranging the cylinder 230 in a zigzag shape, the cylinder 230 can be made large in diameter, and the end portion 223 of the positioning member 220 can be press fit.

Moreover, it is preferable that the 1st magnetic part (not shown) and the 2nd magnetic part 224 which differ in magnetic property are provided in the edge part 223 of the cylinder 230 and the positioning member 220. FIG. Thus, by providing the 1st magnetic part and the 2nd magnetic part 224, the positioning member 220 moves according to the movement of the cylinder 230 in the X direction. For this reason, the positioning member 220 can be prevented from rotating freely, and the workability in a manufacturing method improves.

In the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100, the first spacer 114 is moved in one direction (in the X-direction negative direction in this embodiment) whenever the unit cells 110 are stacked. Thereby, positioning process S102 which performs positioning to the predetermined position of the junction part with respect to the bus bar 132 of the electrode tab 112 in the moving direction of the 1st spacer 114 is carried out.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the first embodiment, in a state in which the lamination step S101 in which the unit cells 110 and the like are laminated one by one, and the laminate 100S are pressed. And holding step S103 to be held, and electrical path connecting step S104 for electrically connecting a plurality of stacked single cells 110 to each other. In the lamination step S101, the positioning step S102 described above is performed.

First, the lamination step S101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 17. In the following description, the unit cell 110 disposed at the bottom of the unit cells 110 stacked in the stacking step S101 is the “first unit cell 110”, and the unit cell 110 positioned second from the bottom. ) Is referred to as a "third unit cell 110" and the unit cell 110 located in the third from the bottom.

FIG. 11: is a perspective view which shows typically the state in which the lower press plate 122 is mounted with respect to the mounting stand 202, and the 1st single cell 110 is laminated | stacked on the lower press plate 122. As shown in FIG. FIG. 12: is a perspective view which shows typically the state which laminated | stacked the 1st unit cell 110 with respect to the lower press plate 122. As shown in FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating a state in which positioning step S102 is performed. FIG. 14: is a perspective view which shows typically the state in the middle of laminating | stacking the 2nd single cell 110 with respect to the 1st single cell 110. As shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which the positioning step S102 is performed in a state where a gap is provided between the first unit cell 110 and the second unit cell 110. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the second unit cell 110 is brought into contact with the first unit cell 110. FIG. 17: is a perspective view which shows typically the state which laminated | stacked the upper press plate 121 with respect to the laminated body 100S. 14 to 16, the reference jig 210 and the positioning member 220 are partially omitted for ease of understanding. 14-16 is an enlarged view in the B part of FIG.

In lamination | stacking process S101, as shown in FIG. 11, the locate hole 122b with which four corners of the lower press plate 122 was inserted in the four locate struts 203 is inserted. In this state, while lowering the lower press plate 122 along the lamination direction Z, the lower press plate 122 is mounted on the mounting surface 202a of the mounting table 202.

Next, with respect to the four locate struts 203, a pair of collars 116 provided at both ends of the first spacer 114 connected to the first unit cell 110, and the second spacer 115 are provided. A pair of collars 116 provided at both ends is inserted. In this state, as shown in FIG. 12, the pair of spacers (the first spacer 114 and the second spacer 115) provided in the unit cell 110 is lowered along the stacking direction Z, 1. The first unit cell 110 is stacked on the lower pressure plate 122.

Next, the tape member 117 is affixed on the upper surface of the first unit cell 110.

Next, the positioning process S102 mentioned above is performed.

As described above, the locate strut 203 is configured to provide a predetermined clearance to the locate hole 114g of the first spacer 114. For this reason, by simply stacking the unit cells 110, after the stacking step is completed, the plurality of unit cells 110 and the first spacers 114 stacked in the stacking direction Z are positioned in the XY plane. Fluctuations can occur. Hereinafter, the positioning process S102 which removes the change of the position in this XY plane, and performs the positioning of the electrode tab 112 is demonstrated in detail.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the positioning process S102, the cylinder 230 is first carried out in the state which the convex part 221 of the positioning member 220 engaged with the recessed part 114j of the 1st spacer 114. FIG. ), The end portion 223 of the positioning member 220 is pressed toward the upper side of FIG. As a result, the positioning member 220 rotates around the axis of the pin 222 (about the stacking direction Z), so that the convex portion 221 of the positioning member 220 is the recessed portion of the first spacer 114. In contact with the first surface 114s of 114j, the first spacer 114 is moved to the negative side (lower side in FIG. 13) in the X direction. The extension surface 114k of the first spacer 114 abuts on the reference surface 211 of the reference jig 210. Thereby, positioning of the junction part with respect to the bus bar 132 of the electrode tab 112 to the predetermined position is performed in the moving direction of the 1st spacer 114. FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, with respect to the four locate struts 203, a pair of colors 116 provided at both ends of the first spacer 114 provided in the second unit cell 110 and A pair of collars 116 provided at both ends of the second spacer 115 are inserted. A pair of spacers (first spacers 114 and second spacers) provided in the second unit cell 110 such that the tape member 117 affixed to the upper surface of the first unit cell 110 is not in contact. (115) is dropped along the stacking direction Z. Then, the dropping is stopped while the first unit cell 110 and the second unit cell are spaced apart by a predetermined amount (for example, 1 mm). At this time, as shown in FIG. 14, the first spacer 114 provided in the second unit cell 110 is in the stacking direction Z with respect to the first spacer 114 provided in the first unit cell 110. The state is spaced apart by a predetermined amount.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, positioning process S102 is performed again. That is, in the lamination step S101, the positioning step S102 is performed before the first unit cell 110 and the second unit cell 110 contact each other. The positioning step S102 performed on the second unit cell 110 is the same as the positioning step S102 performed on the first unit cell 110, and thus description thereof is omitted.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, after the positioning process S102 is complete | finished, the 1st spacer 114 provided in the 1st unit cell 110 was provided with the 1st spacer 114 provided in the 2nd unit cell 110. Then, as shown in FIG. Drop down toward 114 to contact. As a result, the second unit cell 110 contacts the first unit cell 110 via the tape member 117.

And after the 3rd unit cell 110, similarly to the 2nd unit cell 110, the process of dropping along the lamination direction Z until a predetermined clearance gap exists with the unit cell 110 located in the lower side, and positioning The process of contacting step S102 and the unit cell 110 positioned below is repeated.

As a result, the extended surface 114k of the first spacer 114 along the stacking direction Z becomes coplanar in the YZ plane. As a result, the junction part of the electrode tab 112 with respect to the bus bar 132 can be aligned along the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG.

Then, the locator holes 121b provided in the four corners of the upper press plate 121 are inserted into the four locate struts 203. In this state, while lowering the upper press plate 121 along the stacking direction Z, the upper press plate 121 is laminated on the unit cell 110 positioned at the top of the stack 100S. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the laminated body 100S is picked up by the upper press plate 121 and the lower press plate 122. As shown in FIG.

The process shown in FIG. 18 is corresponded to holding process S103. FIG. 18 schematically shows a state in which the laminated body 100S collected by the upper pressing plate 121 and the lower pressing plate 122 is pressed by the press 205, as shown in FIG. 17.

As shown in FIG. 18, the press 205 moves along the lamination direction Z by a linear motion stage (not shown) or a hydraulic cylinder (not shown). When the press 205 moves downward along the stacking direction Z, the stack 100S picked up by the upper press plate 121 and the lower press plate 122 is pressed to generate the power generating element 111 of each unit cell 110. ) Sufficient surface pressure is applied. As a result, each unit cell 110 can exhibit desired electrical characteristics.

The process shown in FIG. 19 corresponds to holding process S103. FIG. 19 schematically shows a state in which the side plate 123 is laser welded to the upper pressing plate 121 and the lower pressing plate 122, following FIG. 18.

As shown in FIG. 19, in the state where sufficient surface pressure is applied to the power generating element 111 of each unit cell 110, the side plate 123 is disposed with respect to the upper press plate 121 and the lower press plate 122. While welding, laser welding is performed by the laser light source 206. The side plate 123 is pressed against the upper press plate 121 and the lower press plate 122 by a jig (not shown) provided with a punching hole for laser irradiation. The laser light source 206 is composed of, for example, a YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser. The laser light L2 derived from the laser light source 206 is adjusted by an optical fiber or a mirror, for example, and in a state where it is focused by a condenser lens, the upper end 123a and the lower end 123b of the side plate 123. Scanned horizontally along the seam. The side plate 123 is laser-welded in that a pair is provided so that the upper press plate 121 and the lower press plate 122 may be picked up from right and left. When the welding of one side plate 123 is completed, by rotating the mounting table 202, the other side plate 123 and the laser light source 206 face each other, and then the other side plate 123 is welded. The pair of side plates 123 keeps the gap between the upper press plate 121 and the lower press plate 122 constant. Therefore, even if the press 205 is spaced apart from the upper press plate 121, the surface pressure applied to the power generating element 111 of each unit cell 110 is maintained.

The process shown in FIG. 20 corresponds to electric path connection process S104. FIG. 20 schematically shows a state in which laser welding is performed by bringing the corresponding bus bars 132 into contact with the respective electrode tabs 112 of the stacked unit cells 110 subsequent to FIG. 19. It is shown.

As shown in FIG. 20, the mounting table 202 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the state of FIG. 19, and each electrode tab 112 of the stacked unit cells 110 is replaced with a laser light source ( 206). The bus bar holder 131 is moved by a robot arm (not shown), and each bus bar 132 integrally held by the bus bar holder 131 is stacked in a unit cell 110. Is pressed against each corresponding electrode tab 112. In this state, the laser beam L2 is derived from the laser light source 206, and each bus bar 132 and each electrode tab 112 corresponding to each other are seam welded in order. At this time, in the positioning step S102, since the positioning of the bonding portion with respect to the bus bar 132 of the electrode tab 112 is performed to a predetermined position, the electrode tab is thereby placed at the arrangement position of the laser light source 206. The distance to 112 can be aligned with high accuracy along the stacking direction Z. Therefore, when performing laser welding, the electrode tab 112 and the bus bar 132 can be joined suitably.

The process shown in FIG. 21 corresponds to electrical path connection process S104. FIG. 21 is a laser welded contact with the anode side terminal 133 against the anode side bus bar 132A at the end of the anode side, followed by the cathode side bus bar 132K at the side of the cathode side. The state in the middle of laser welding while making the cathode side terminal 134 abut against is shown typically.

As shown in FIG. 21, the anode side terminal 133 is joined to the anode side bus bar 132A which corresponds to the end of an anode side and is located in the upper right of the figure among the bus bars 132 arrange | positioned in matrix form. do. Similarly, the cathode side terminal 134 is joined to the cathode side bus bar 132K, which corresponds to the end of the cathode side and is located in the lower left of the figure among the bus bars 132 arranged in a matrix.

The process shown in FIG. 22 corresponds to electrical path connection process S104. FIG. 22 schematically shows a state in which a plurality of bus bars 132 are covered with one protective cover 135, following FIG. 21.

As shown in FIG. 22, the protective cover 135 is moved by a robot arm (not shown), and one end 135b and the other end 135c of the protection cover 135 are moved to the bus bar holder 131. As shown in FIG. Insert it. The protective cover 135 is fixed to the bus bar holder 131 by using a hook such as a snap fit, using a screw, or using an elastic adhesive. The protective cover 135 exposes the anode-side terminal 133 to the outside from the first opening 135d provided on the side surface 135a, and also the cathode side from the second opening 135e provided on the side surface 135a. The terminal 134 is exposed to the outside. The protective cover 135 prevents the bus bar 132 from being shorted or shorted by contact with an external member or the like.

The manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 described with reference to Figs. It may be implemented by any form of manual.

As described above, the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of unit cells 110, a first spacer 114, and a bus bar 132. It is a manufacturing method. In the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100, the electrode tab is moved in the moving direction of the first spacer 114 by moving the first spacer 114 to the negative direction in the X direction for each stacking step S101 of stacking the unit cells 110. Positioning of the junction site with respect to the bus bar 132 of 112 is performed to a predetermined position. According to this manufacturing method, the bus bar of the electrode tab 112 is moved in the moving direction of the first spacer 114 by moving the first spacer 114 to the negative side in the X direction each time the unit cells 110 are stacked. Positioning of the joining site with respect to 132 to a predetermined position is performed. For this reason, after stacking the unit cells 110, the distance from the arrangement position of the laser light source 206 to the electrode tab 112 can be aligned with high accuracy along the stacking direction Z. FIG. Therefore, when performing laser welding, the electrode tab 112 and the bus bar 132 can be joined suitably.

In addition, in the lamination step S101, the electrode tabs 112 are positioned before the unit cells 110 are in contact with each other. For this reason, even when the tape member 117 is arrange | positioned between unit cells 110, the 1st spacer 114 is moved suitably, and the junction of the electrode tab 112 to the bus bar 132 is carried out. Positioning of the site to a predetermined position can be performed suitably.

Before the stacking step S101, the tape member 117 is disposed on the surface of the unit cell 110, and in the stacking step S101, the tape member 117 is sandwiched between the unit cells 110 before the unit cells 110 approach each other. Before the layers 110 overlap with each other via the tape member 117, the electrode tabs 112 are positioned. According to this manufacturing method, since the unit cells 110 overlap with each other through the tape member 117, when the unit cell 110 vibrates or the shock is applied to the unit cell 110, the unit cell 110 The stress applied to the laminate film 113 located at the outermost layer of the film is absorbed to protect the laminate film 113.

In addition, the positioning member 220 provided for each first spacer 114 performs positioning with respect to the bus bar 132 of the electrode tab 112. For this reason, positioning of the electrode tab 112 performed every time the unit cells 110 are stacked becomes easy.

The first spacer is moved by moving the positioning member 220 in a state in which the convex portion 221 provided in the positioning member 220 is engaged with the recess 114j provided in the first spacer 114. Move 114. According to this manufacturing method, positioning of the junction part with respect to the bus bar 132 of the electrode tab 112 to a predetermined position can be performed more easily.

In addition, the positioning member 220 is rotatably provided around the lamination direction Z by the pin 222 provided along the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG. In addition, by pressing the end portion 223 on the opposite side to the side where the convex portion 221 of the positioning member 220 is provided, the positioning member 220 is rotated around the axis of the pin 222 to form an electrode tab ( Positioning with respect to bus bar 132 of 112 is performed. For this reason, positioning of the junction site | part of the electrode tab 112 with respect to the bus bar 132 can be performed easily.

When the first spacer 114 is moved, the first spacer 114 is brought into contact with the reference surface 211 as a reference to position the bus bar 132 of the electrode tab 112. According to this manufacturing method, since the electrode tab 112 can be positioned by bringing the first spacer 114 into contact with the reference plane 211, the electrode tab 112 can be easily positioned.

Further, the distal end portion 112d of the electrode tab 112 is refracted along the stacking direction Z, and the first spacer 114 is in the plane direction of the unit cell 110 and is spaced apart from the unit cell 110 (the X direction). On the negative side), the first spacer 114 is moved to position the electrode tab 112. According to this manufacturing method, since the first spacer 114 is moved in the direction away from the unit cell 110, the electrode tab 112 can be easily positioned.

As described above, the manufacturing apparatus 200 of the assembled battery 100 according to the present embodiment includes a tank including a plurality of unit cells 110, a first spacer 114, and a bus bar 132. The manufacturing apparatus 200 of the battery 100. The manufacturing apparatus 200 moves the 1st spacer 114 to the negative direction of X direction by every stacking process S101 which laminates the unit cell 110, and the electrode tab 112 in the moving direction of the 1st spacer 114 is shown. The positioning member 220 which performs positioning to the predetermined position of the junction site with respect to the bus bar 132 is provided. According to this manufacturing apparatus 200, the distance from the arrangement position of the laser light source 206 to the electrode tab 112 can be aligned with high precision along the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG. Therefore, when performing laser welding, the electrode tab 112 and the bus bar 132 can be joined suitably.

<Production Method According to Second Embodiment>

Next, the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus 300 of the assembled battery 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 23: is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and is a perspective view which shows the mode of positioning the electrode tab 112 of the 1st unit cell 110. As shown in FIG. FIG. 24: is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and is a perspective view which shows the mode of positioning the electrode tab 112 of the 2nd unit cell 110. As shown in FIG. In addition, in FIG. 23, FIG. 24, the reference jig 210, the positioning member 220, and the extending | stretching part 330 are abbreviate | omitted and shown for ease of understanding.

The part which is common in 1st Embodiment abbreviate | omits description, and demonstrates the characteristic point only in 2nd Embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated to the same member as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. The manufacturing method which concerns on 2nd Embodiment differs from the manufacturing method which concerns on 1st Embodiment by the method of pressing the positioning member 220 to the X direction positive side.

The manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the second embodiment includes a laminating step S201, a holding step S103, and an electrical path connecting step S104. Lamination process S201 is equipped with the positioning process S202.

As shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, the manufacturing apparatus 300 of the assembled battery 100 according to the second embodiment includes a mounting table 202, a locate strut 203, and a reference jig 210. And the positioning member 220. Moreover, the manufacturing apparatus 300 has the extending | stretching part 330 extended | stretched in the lamination direction Z, and the taper block 340 which is movable in the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG. Since the structure of the mounting stand 202, the locate strut 203, the reference jig 210, and the positioning member 220 is the same as the manufacturing apparatus 200 of the battery pack 100 according to the first embodiment, , Description is omitted.

The extending | stretching part 330 is extended | stretched in the lamination direction Z, as shown to FIG. 23, FIG. The extending | stretching part 330 is a negative side in the Y direction of the reference jig 210, and is provided in the negative direction of the X direction of the positioning member 220. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 23, FIG. 24, the taper block 340 is provided in the extending | stretching part 330 so that sliding is possible in the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG. The taper block 340 moves in the stacking direction Z by the control part which is not shown in figure. The taper block 340 is continuous with the contact part 341 which can contact the edge part 223 of the positioning member 220, and the contact part 341, and goes to the negative direction X direction along the upper direction of the lamination | stacking direction Z. The inclined taper portion 342 is provided. 23 and 24, the taper block 340 moves upwards, so that the taper part 342 moves the edge part 223 of the positioning member 220 from the minus direction of X direction to the plus direction of X direction. Indent This rotates the positioning member 220 around the axis of the pin 222. As a result, the convex portion 221 contacts the first surface 114s of the concave portion 114j of the first spacer 114 to move the first spacer 114 and the unit cell 110 toward the negative direction in the X direction. Let's do it. Then, the extension surface 114k of the first spacer 114 abuts on the reference surface 211 of the reference jig 210, whereby the bus bar of the electrode tab 112 is moved in the moving direction of the first spacer 114. Positioning of the joining site with respect to 132 to a predetermined position is performed.

The manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the stacking process S201 only in comparison with the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the first embodiment. For this reason, below, the lamination process S201 of the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated.

First, similarly to the first embodiment, the lower press plate 122 is loaded on the mounting surface 202a of the mounting table 202, the first unit cell 110 is laminated on the lower press plate 122, and the first stage The tape member 117 is affixed on the upper surface of the battery 110.

Next, positioning process S202 is performed.

As shown in FIG. 23, in the positioning step S202, the tapered block 340 moves upward in the stacking direction Z and moves from the negative side in the X direction toward the plus side, and ends of the first positioning member 220. Press (223). As a result, the positioning member 220 rotates around the axis of the pin 222 (about the Z direction), so that the convex portion 221 of the positioning member 220 is the recess 114j of the first spacer 114. A first spacer 114 is moved toward the negative side in the X direction. The extension surface 114k of the first spacer 114 abuts on the reference surface 211 of the reference jig 210. Thereby, positioning of the junction part with respect to the bus bar 132 of the electrode tab 112 to the predetermined position is performed in the moving direction of the 1st spacer 114. FIG.

Then, the pair of spacers (first spacer 114 and second spacer 115) provided in the second unit cell 110 is dropped along the stacking direction Z. Then, the drop is stopped in the state where the first unit cell 110 and the second unit cell are spaced by a predetermined amount.

Next, as shown in FIG. 24, a positioning process S202 is performed again. Specifically, the taper block 340 is moved upward in the stacking direction Z to rotate the positioning member 220 by the tapered portion 342 of the tapered block 340, and the contact portion 341 is rotated. Abut the end 223 of the positioning member 220.

Subsequently, after positioning process S202 is complete | finished, the 1st spacer 114 provided in the 2nd unit cell 110 was dropped toward the 1st spacer 114 provided in the 1st unit cell 110, and it contacted. Let's do it. As a result, the second unit cell 110 contacts the first unit cell 110 via the tape member 117.

And after the 3rd unit cell 110, similarly to the 2nd unit cell 110, the process of dropping along the lamination direction Z until a predetermined clearance gap exists with the unit cell 110 located in the lower side, and positioning The step of contacting the step S202 and the unit cell 110 positioned below is repeated.

As explained above, in the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the second embodiment, the tapered block 340 provided with the tapered portion 342 rises along the stacking direction Z, whereby the tapered portion 342 is formed at the end portion ( By contacting 223, the end portion 223 is press-fitted. According to this manufacturing method, it is only necessary to control one of the taper blocks 340 without controlling a plurality of cylinders 230 used in the manufacturing method of the battery pack 100 according to the first embodiment, so that the manufacturing apparatus 300 It can prevent troublesome.

<Production Method According to Third Embodiment>

Next, the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus 400 of the assembled battery 100 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 28.

FIG. 25: is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, and is a perspective view which shows the state which laminated | stacked the unit cell 110 with the clearance gap by the support part 440. As shown in FIG. FIG. 26: is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, and is a top view which shows the state before performing positioning process S302. FIG. 27: is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, and is a top view which shows the state after performing positioning process S302. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the third embodiment, in which the supporting state of the supporting unit 440 is released (retracted state), and all the unit cells 110 are stacked. It is a perspective view shown.

The part which is common in 1st Embodiment abbreviate | omits description, and demonstrates the characteristic point only in 3rd Embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated to the same member as 1st Embodiment mentioned above, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. Lamination process S301 differs from the manufacturing method which concerns on 3rd Embodiment compared with the manufacturing method which concerns on 1st Embodiment.

The manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the third embodiment includes a laminating step S301, a holding step S103, and an electrical path connecting step S104. Lamination process S301 is equipped with the positioning process S302.

The manufacturing apparatus 400 of the assembled battery 100 according to the third embodiment includes a mounting table 202, a locate strut 203, and a reference jig 210 as illustrated in FIGS. 25 to 28. Has In addition, the manufacturing apparatus 400 includes the positioning member 420 extended in the stacking direction Z, the cylinder 430 for press-ining the end portion 423 of the positioning member 420, and the unit cell 110. The support part 440 which supports the 1st spacer 114 in space | interval with each other is provided. The mounting table 202, the locate strut 203 and the reference jig 210 are the same as the manufacturing apparatus 200 of the battery pack 100 according to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

Unlike the manufacturing apparatus 200 of 1st Embodiment, the positioning member 420 extends along a Z direction, and is provided with one. The positioning member 420 has the convex part 421 which can be engaged with the recessed part 114j of the 1st spacer 114 as shown to FIG. 26, FIG. The positioning member 420 is rotatably provided by the pin 222 along the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG.

The cylinder 430 is located near the center along the lamination direction Z of the positioning member 420. The cylinder 430 rotates the positioning member 220 about the axis | shaft of the pin 222 by pressing in the edge part 423 of the positioning member 420, as shown to FIG. 26, FIG. As a result, the convex portion 421 contacts the first surface 114s of the recess 114j of the first spacer 114 to move the first spacer 114 and the unit cell 110 toward the negative direction in the X direction. Let's do it. Then, the extension surface 114k of the first spacer 114 abuts on the reference surface 211 of the reference jig 210, whereby the bus bar of the electrode tab 112 is moved in the moving direction of the first spacer 114. Positioning of the joining site with respect to 132 to a predetermined position is performed.

As shown in FIGS. 25 to 27, the supporter 440 supports the first spacers 114 so that the unit cells 110 are disposed with a gap therebetween. The support part 440 is rotatably provided around the lamination direction Z by the pin 441 along the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG. The support part 440 rotates around the stacking direction Z to support the first spacer 114 (see FIGS. 25 to 27) and the retracted state not to support the first spacer 114 (see FIG. 28). ) Can be switched.

The manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the third embodiment differs from the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the first embodiment only in the lamination step S301. For this reason, below, the lamination process S301 of the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment is demonstrated. In the following description, the support part 440 located at the bottom is called "the 1st support part 440", and the support part 440 located at the bottom 2nd is called "the 2nd support part 440."

As shown in FIG. 25, in the stacking step S301, first, the unit cells 110 are stacked such that the unit cells 110 are disposed with a gap therebetween. Specifically, the first unit cell 110 is laminated with the first support unit 440 in the retracted state, and the first support unit 440 is supported. Subsequently, the second unit cell 110 is laminated with the second support unit 440 in the retracted state, and the second support unit 440 is in the support state. By repeating this process, as shown in FIG. 25, the unit cell 110 is laminated | stacked by the support part 440 at the clearance gap.

Next, positioning process S302 is performed.

As shown to FIG. 26, FIG. 27, in positioning process S302, first, in the state which the convex part 221 of the positioning member 220 engaged with the recessed part 114j of the 1st spacer 114, By controlling the cylinder 430, the end 423 of the positioning member 420 is pressed (see arrow in FIG. 26). As a result, the positioning member 420 rotates around the axis of the pin 222 (periphery of the stacking direction Z), so that the convex portion 421 of the positioning member 420 becomes the recessed portion of the first spacer 114. In contact with the first surface 114s of 114j, the first spacer 114 is moved to the negative side in the X direction. The extension surface 114k of the first spacer 114 abuts on the reference surface 211 of the reference jig 210. Thereby, positioning of the junction part with respect to the bus bar 132 of the electrode tab 112 to the predetermined position is performed in the moving direction of the 1st spacer 114. FIG.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 28, all the support parts 440 are made into the retracted state, and all the unit cells 110 are stacked below the stacking direction Z. As shown in FIG. As a result, the extended surface 114k of the first spacer 114 along the stacking direction Z becomes coplanar in the YZ plane. As a result, the junction part of the electrode tab 112 with respect to the bus bar 132 can be aligned along the lamination direction Z. As shown in FIG.

As described above, in the manufacturing method of the assembled battery 100 according to the third embodiment, a plurality of unit cells 110 are laminated with a gap. Then, by moving the first spacer 114 in one direction, positioning of the joining site with respect to the bus bar 132 of the electrode tab 112 to a predetermined position in the moving direction of the first spacer 114 is performed. Do it. Then, the unit cells 110 are brought into contact with each other. According to this manufacturing method, the distance from the arrangement position of the laser light source 206 to the electrode tab 112 can be aligned with high precision along the lamination direction Z. Therefore, when performing laser welding, the electrode tab 112 and the bus bar 132 can be joined suitably.

In addition, the present invention can be modified in various ways based on the configuration described in the claims, and the scope of the present invention also for them.

For example, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the electrode tabs 112 are positioned before the unit cells 110 are in contact with each other. However, when the tape member 117 is not provided between the unit cells 110, the electrode tabs 112 may be positioned after the unit cells 110 are in contact with each other. At this time, friction occurs due to the weight of the unit cell 110, and the deviation between the unit cells 110 can be suppressed.

Moreover, in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the positioning member 220 is rotated in the state which engaged the convex part 221 of the positioning member 220 with the recessed part 114j of the 1st spacer 114. FIG. By doing so, the first spacer 114 was moved. However, the present invention is not limited to this, but the concave portion may be provided in the positioning member, and the convex portion may be provided in the first spacer, and they may be engaged with each other.

In the first embodiment described above, the first spacer 114 is moved by the cylinder 230. However, the first spacer 114 may be gripped and moved by the hand robot.

In addition, in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, each extension surface 114k is made to coplanar by making the extension surface 114k of the 1st spacer 114 abut the reference surface 211 of the reference jig 210. It was. However, the reference jig is not provided, and each of the extending surfaces 114k may be coplanar with the positioning member 220 and the cylinder 230. At this time, it is preferable to adjust a laser oscillator suitably so that the focus of a laser beam may become an appropriate location.

In addition, in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, although the front-end | tip part 112d of the electrode tab 112 was refracted along the lamination direction Z, it is not necessary to be refracted.

In addition, in 1st Embodiment mentioned above, although positioning was carried out for every single cell 110, you may perform positioning for each some cell 110 (for example, three). According to this method, manufacturing time can be shortened.

100: battery pack
100S: laminate
110: single cell
110M: first cell subassembly
110N: second cell subassembly
111: development factors
112: electrode tab
112d: tip of electrode tab
112A: Anode Side Electrode Tab
112K: cathode side electrode tab
113: laminate film
114: first spacer
114j: recess
115: second spacer
116: color
117: tape member (adhesive member)
120: pressurization unit
121: upper press plate
122: lower pressure plate
123: shroud
130: bus bar unit
131: bus bar holder
132: bus bar
132A: anode side bus bar
132K: cathode side bus bar
133: anode side terminal
134: cathode side terminal
135: protective cover
200, 300, 400: manufacturing apparatus
202: loading table
203: locate prop
205: press
206: laser light source
210: reference jig
211: reference plane
220, 420: positioning member
221: convex
222: pin
223: end
230: cylinder
340: tapered block
342: tapered portion
S101, S201, S301: Lamination Process
S102, S202, S302: Positioning Process
S103: Holding Process
S104: electrical path connection process
L1, L2: laser light
X: Long side direction (of unit cell 110)
Y: short-side direction (of cell 110)
Z: stacking direction (of unit cell 110)

Claims (11)

A tank having a power generation element, a plurality of unit cells including an electrode tab drawn out of the power generation element, a spacer supporting the electrode tab, and a bus bar electrically connecting the electrode tabs of the different unit cells. It is a manufacturing method of a battery,
The manufacturing method of the assembled battery in which the spacers are moved in one direction for each stacking step of stacking the unit cells, thereby positioning the electrode tabs to predetermined positions in the moving direction of the electrode tabs to the bus bars. . The method of claim 1,
In the lamination step, before the unit cells contact each other, the electrode tab is positioned. The method of claim 1,
An adhesive member is disposed on the surface of the unit cell before the lamination step,
In the lamination step, when the adhesive cells are sandwiched and the unit cells are approached, the electrode tab is positioned before the unit cells overlap with each other via the adhesive member. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The manufacturing method of the assembled battery which performs positioning of the said electrode tab by the positioning member provided for every said spacer. The method of claim 4, wherein
The manufacturing method of the assembled battery which moves the said spacer by moving the said positioning member in the state which engaged the convex part provided in the said positioning member to the recess provided in the said spacer. The method of claim 5,
The positioning member is provided to be rotatable about an axis of the pin by a pin provided along a stacking direction in which the unit cells are stacked,
A method for manufacturing an assembled battery, wherein the positioning of the electrode tab is performed by rotating the positioning member around the axis of the pin by press-fitting an end portion on the opposite side of the side on which the convex portion of the positioning member is provided. The method of claim 6,
The taper block provided with a taper part raises along the said lamination direction, The said taper part contacts the said edge part, and presses the said edge part, The manufacturing method of the assembled battery. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
When moving the spacer,
The manufacturing method of the assembled battery which performs positioning of the said electrode tab by making the said spacer contact a reference surface used as a reference. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The tip end of the electrode tab is refracted along the stacking direction of the unit cell,
A method for manufacturing an assembled battery, wherein the spacer is moved in a plane direction of the unit cell and spaced apart from the unit cell to position the electrode tab. A tank having a power generation element, a plurality of unit cells including an electrode tab drawn out of the power generation element, a spacer supporting the electrode tab, and a bus bar electrically connecting the electrode tabs of the different unit cells. It is a manufacturing apparatus of a battery,
It has a positioning member which performs positioning to the predetermined position of the junction part with respect to the said bus bar of the said electrode tab in the moving direction of the said spacer by moving the said spacer in one direction every lamination process of laminating | stacking the said single cell, Manufacturing apparatus of battery pack. A tank having a power generation element, a plurality of unit cells including an electrode tab drawn out of the power generation element, a spacer supporting the electrode tab, and a bus bar electrically connecting the electrode tabs of the different unit cells. It is a manufacturing method of a battery,
By stacking a plurality of the unit cells with a gap and moving the spacers in one direction, after the positioning of the electrode tab to a predetermined position of the junction site with respect to the bus bar in the moving direction of the spacers, The manufacturing method of an assembled battery which makes batteries contact.

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